Patents by Inventor Baojun Bai

Baojun Bai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260152684
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for gel beads for conformance control in oil and gas reservoirs. According to one aspect of the present disclosure gel beads for conformance control in oil and gas reservoirs. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure a method of using gel beads for conformance control in oil and gas reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2025
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Ibnelwaleed Hussein, Ahmed Ben Ali, Reem Elaf, Ahmed Hamza, Mohammed Ali H. Salah Saad, Abdulaziz Almakimi, Fahd Alenezy, Baojun Bai
  • Patent number: 12534663
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of conformance control in oil fields, particularly to a re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system, and composition thereof. The composition of the re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system contains monomers, crosslinkers, a polymer matrix, and additives. Components in the composition for re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel in the present invention have excellent compatibility with each other, and the obtained gel has excellent long term high-temperature resistance property. Different from prior products, in the re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel compositions according to embodiments of the present invention, the components that are used to re-crosslink the particle gels may be grafted on the polymer chain and will act as initiator or secondary crosslinker in different conditions. During particle injection process, all compositions would move together, thereby avoiding chromatographic problems typical of prior products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Tao Song, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman
  • Patent number: 12473482
    Abstract: Compositions of swellable non-toxic hydrogels and their use in conformance control are described herein. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to the hydrogels compositions that can be used to treat the oil reservoirs having high temperature and high salinity conditions. The compositions generally comprise a plurality of swellable particles having one or more crosslinkers interspersed within a polymer matrix. The compositions can also be used in biomedical, agricultural, fracking and similar applications wherein thermally-stable, nontoxic hydrogels are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schuman, Baojun Bai, Buddhabhushan Pundlik Salunkhe
  • Publication number: 20250236690
    Abstract: The present disclosure is broadly concerned with green crosslinkers for use with reservoir temperatures ranging from about 80° C. to about 130° C. These green crosslinkers can crosslink acrylamide-based polymers with crosslinking times ranging from several hours to weeks. The mixture of this green crosslinker with an acrylamide-based polymer solution can be applied to plug reservoirs with fractures and/or matrix channels. Moreover, it can be used in different permeability reservoirs with various channeling problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Applicant: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Tao Song, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, Mohamed Ahdaya
  • Publication number: 20250163259
    Abstract: A polymer material comprising a crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose and cationic polyacrylamide (“CMC/CPAM”) polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Ahmed Ben Ali, Ahmed Hamza, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Mohammed Saad, Abdulaziz Almakimi, Baojun Bai
  • Patent number: 12247156
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the composition of particle gels for conformance control, well drilling and well treatments. More particularly, this invention relates to swellable polymer particle gels that can re-crosslink, i.e., reassociate and self-heal, at subterranean conditions. These particle gels can be deployed to improve the conformance of water flooding of especially matrix bypass events (MBEs), that are also known as void space conduits. Moreover, these particle gels can be deployed for controlling the water production and increasing of petroleum recovery. The inventive particles can also be deployed as diverter for well stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Yifu Long, Bowen Yu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Publication number: 20240132771
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of conformance control in oil fields, particularly to a re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system, and composition thereof. The composition of the re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system contains monomers, crosslinkers, a polymer matrix, and additives. Components in the composition for re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel in the present invention have excellent compatibility with each other, and the obtained gel has excellent long term high-temperature resistance property. Different from prior products, in the re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel compositions according to embodiments of the present invention, the components that are used to re-crosslink the particle gels may be grafted on the polymer chain and will act as initiator or secondary crosslinker in different conditions. During particle injection process, all compositions would move together, thereby avoiding chromatographic problems typical of prior products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Song, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman
  • Publication number: 20230407163
    Abstract: Compositions of swellable non-toxic hydrogels and their use in conformance control are described herein. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to the hydrogels compositions that can be used to treat the oil reservoirs having high temperature and high salinity conditions. The compositions generally comprise a plurality of swellable particles having one or more crosslinkers interspersed within a polymer matrix. The compositions can also be used in biomedical, agricultural, fracking and similar applications wherein thermally-stable, nontoxic hydrogels are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schuman, Baojun Bai, Buddhabhushan Pundlik Salunkhe
  • Publication number: 20230055352
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the composition of particle gels for conformance control, well drilling and well treatments. More particularly, this invention relates to swellable polymer particle gels that can re-crosslink, i.e., reassociate and self-heal, at subterranean conditions. These particle gels can be deployed to improve the conformance of water flooding of especially matrix bypass events (MBEs), that are also known as void space conduits. Moreover, these particle gels can be deployed for controlling the water production and increasing of petroleum recovery. The inventive particles can also be deployed as diverter for well stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yifu Long, Bowen Yu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Patent number: 11549048
    Abstract: This invention is broadly concerned with compositions and processes for oilfield applications. More specifically, this invention relates to novel polymer constructed packages that, when pumped into a petroleum well, provide tunable characteristics of transformation and delayed self-assembly with each other under reservoir conditions to yield strong, elastic, bulk gel materials. The compositions comprise a polymer, assembling agents, and optional additives used for the re-assembly stage are uniformly-distributed within the initial gel particles. The polymer particle packages absorb water and swell upon exposure to water, thus exposing the “assembling agents” that enable re-assembly. Both swelling and re-assembly are proportionally controlled via compositions to be tunable to allow functional dispersion and subsequent self-assembly under various reservoir conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Patent number: 11268009
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions useful for controlling fluid flow, for example in a target zone of a subterranean environment, and methods of forming and using the same. The composition generally comprises a quantity of fibers and a quantity of swellable particles, which may be dispersed in a carrier fluid. The composition may be synthesized in the form of a bulk gel or may be gelatinated during use. The fibers in the compositions provide improved performance as compared to prior PPG and RPPG particle-containing compositions. Specifically, the compositions reinforce the re-cross-linked/re-associated hydrogel plug in underground features and support proper rehydration of RPPG particles with water or brine to better to provide structural support for the particles within the gel and to more completely fill underground void space conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Inventors: Baojun Bai, Ze Wang, Zhe Sun, Jingyang Pu, Thomas Schuman
  • Publication number: 20220033703
    Abstract: This invention is broadly concerned with compositions and processes for oilfield applications. More specifically, this invention relates to novel polymer constructed packages that, when pumped into a petroleum well, provide tunable characteristics of transformation and delayed self-assembly with each other under reservoir conditions to yield strong, elastic, bulk gel materials. The compositions comprise a polymer, assembling agents, and optional additives used for the re-assembly stage are uniformly-distributed within the initial gel particles. The polymer particle packages absorb water and swell upon exposure to water, thus exposing the “assembling agents” that enable re-assembly. Both swelling and re-assembly are proportionally controlled via compositions to be tunable to allow functional dispersion and subsequent self-assembly under various reservoir conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Patent number: 11214729
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the composition of particle gels for CO2-EOR and CO2 storage. More particularly, CO2 resistant particle gels are provided that can re-crosslink at subterranean conditions. These particle gels can be deployed to improve the conformance of CO2 flooding, CO2 huff-puff, or Water-Alternative-Gas (WAG). The applications may also involve CO2 storage, such as the blocking of CO2 leakage and similar CO2 processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Yifu Long, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman
  • Patent number: 11162016
    Abstract: This invention is broadly concerned with compositions and processes for oilfield applications. More specifically, this invention relates to novel polymer constructed packages that, when pumped into a petroleum well, provide tunable characteristics of transformation and delayed self-assembly with each other under reservoir conditions to yield strong, elastic, bulk gel materials. The compositions comprise a polymer, assembling agents, and optional additives used for the re-assembly stage are uniformly-distributed within the initial gel particles. The polymer particle packages absorb water and swell upon exposure to water, thus exposing the “assembling agents” that enable re-assembly. Both swelling and re-assembly are proportionally controlled via compositions to be tunable to allow functional dispersion and subsequent self-assembly under various reservoir conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Publication number: 20200407622
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions useful for controlling fluid flow, for example in a target zone of a subterranean environment, and methods of forming and using the same. The composition generally comprises a quantity of fibers and a quantity of swellable particles, which may be dispersed in a carrier fluid. The composition may be synthesized in the form of a bulk gel or may be gelatinated during use. The fibers in the compositions provide improved performance as compared to prior PPG and RPPG particle-containing compositions. Specifically, the compositions reinforce the re-cross-linked/re-associated hydrogel plug in underground features and support proper rehydration of RPPG particles with water or brine to better to provide structural support for the particles within the gel and to more completely fill underground void space conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Baojun Bai, Ze Wang, Zhe Sun, Jingyang Pu, Thomas Schuman
  • Publication number: 20200325384
    Abstract: This invention is broadly concerned with compositions and processes for oilfield applications. More specifically, this invention relates to novel polymer constructed packages that, when pumped into a petroleum well, provide tunable characteristics of transformation and delayed self-assembly with each other under reservoir conditions to yield strong, elastic, bulk gel materials. The compositions comprise a polymer, assembling agents, and optional additives used for the re-assembly stage are uniformly-distributed within the initial gel particles. The polymer particle packages absorb water and swell upon exposure to water, thus exposing the “assembling agents” that enable re-assembly. Both swelling and re-assembly are proportionally controlled via compositions to be tunable to allow functional dispersion and subsequent self-assembly under various reservoir conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Thomas Schuman
  • Publication number: 20200071601
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the composition of particle gels for CO2-EOR and CO2 storage. More particularly, CO2 resistant particle gels are provided that can re-crosslink at subterranean conditions. These particle gels can be deployed to improve the conformance of CO2 flooding, CO2 huff-puff, or Water-Alternative-Gas (WAG). The applications may also involve CO2 storage, such as the blocking of CO2 leakage and similar CO2 processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yifu Long, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman